My eyes narrowed. “You’re shitting me.”
He held a hand up. “I swear. Whatever you did got their engines running.”
I cackled. “Should I apologize?”
“Not even a little. Half the wolves wanted to go to Joy Springs and bring you back by force.”
“Huh. I never thought about the ramifications of doing what I did when all the shifters were still on the land. Did you have any ill effects?”
A slow, sexy grin spread over his face. “I’m still holding those ill effects in if you’re interested.”
I snorted and tried to sit up. He groaned as he loosened his grip. “Spoilsport.”
I stood and leaned over him, cupping his cheek in my hand. “You are wonderful, and I care about you very much, but I am not ready for anything physical.”
He watched me, his hazel eyes serious. “I know. Nibbling on your ear is a great distraction from everything else going on, isn’t it?”
I gasped in mock outrage. “I know that must have been very difficult for you. My neck must taste terrible, and I know I smell like a troll. You’ve been quite the trooper.”
Rowan’s eyes glinted with a dangerous light. “I do sacrifice for the people I care about.”
“I can assure you your job is done. You’ll never have to undergo such a trial ever again.”
Rowan reached out and jerked me forward. I squawked and pinwheeled right into his arms. He nuzzled my neck. “You smell like heaven and taste like ambrosia.”
“Flatterer.”
Rowan chuckled. “Come on. Let’s go back to the house and get some dinner. You can call your dad and see if he can transport all your furniture over.”
He rose and lifted me with him, gently setting me on my feet. “Feeling better?”
I felt like a heavy weight had lifted from my shoulders, one I had carried for years and years. My breath came easier, my muscles were more relaxed. My heart still ached, but it was no longer the stabbing, tearing pain I experienced when I thought of Caelan. I leaned my head against his shoulder. “I am. Thank you.”
He slung an arm over my shoulders. “No need to thank me. Touch-starved, remember? Anytime you want to snuggle, I’m your guy.”
“Do you ever shift and get into a bear puppy pile with the other shifters?”
He gave me an odd look. “Why? Would you want to join?”
I tilted my head in thought. “I dunno. Maybe. I bet it’d be warm.”
“Everyone is naked when they wake up, FYI.” His eyes sparkled with amusement.
“You saw what happened when we got trapped in the cage.”
Rowan closed his eyes. “Mmm. I sure did.”
I punched him in the shoulder. “What are you feeding me tonight?”
“Whatever the chef is cooking.”
“Spoken like a true Lord.”
Chapter
Thirty
Dad came through. The next morning, the small cottage was filled with my most important things. All my clothing was in the master closet, and my toiletries were deposited in the bathroom closet. He’d brought my bedroom furniture and all my pots and pans and spices.
